Northern Taiwan to see cold, wet weather throughout the weekend as northeast monsoon howls

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) predicts that as a northeast monsoon strengthens, strong winds will be observed on the coastal areas and northern Taiwan will see cold, wet weather throughout the weekend, with lows dipping to 18 degrees Celsius.

As a northeast monsoon lashes Taiwan today, the CWB predicts that cloud cover will increase in northern and eastern Taiwan. The north coast of Keelung and mountainous areas of Taipei and Yilan will have extended periods of rain and will be prone to local heavy downpours. However, central and southern Taiwan will see partly cloud to sunny skies.

The CWB predicts that there is a 70 to 100 percent chance of rain in Taoyuan and areas north, as well as Yilan. The CWB early this morning also issued a heavy rain advisory for Taipei, New Taipei City, and Keelung.

In terms of temperatures, the lowest reported temperature this morning was 15.8 degrees in Sanzhi and Fuguijiao in New Taipei City. The CWB predicts that during the day, highs will range between 19 and 22 degrees in northern Taiwan, 24 to 26 degrees in eastern Taiwan, and 28 to 30 degrees in central and southern Taiwan.

Starting tonight, low temperatures will drop to 18 to 19 degrees in northern Taiwan and Yilan and 20 to 21 degrees in southern and eastern Taiwan. People are advised to wear extra layers of clothing in the evening to keep warm.

The CWB has also issued a strong wind advisory for all of Taiwan and its outer islands, with the exception of Taipei City, Nantou County, and Kaohsiung City. Wind gusts of between level 8 and level 10 have been recorded in coastal and open areas north of Tainan (including Green Island and Orchid Island), the Hengchun Peninsula, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu. Wave heights in these areas may reach three to five meters.

As for the air quality today, the Environmental Protection Administration reports that the air quality index (AQI) in northern Taiwan is "good," conditions are "moderate" in Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan, while Kaohsiung City is flashing a red warning for air that is "unhealthy."